What researchers think about the culture they work in
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![Four people have a discussion sitting in a circle](/sites/default/files/research-culture-banner-1600x578.png)
<p>Perspectives on and experiences of research culture, based on a survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the UK and globally.</p>
Thousands of researchers have taken part in the largest ever survey into experiences of research culture. The results show it's time for change – everyone in the research community can help to reimagine research.
- perspectives on and experiences of research culture, based on a survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the UK and globally, and nearly 100 in-depth interviews.
- researchers
- research leaders
- funders
- policy makers
Researchers are passionate and proud about their work, but have concerns about job security
- 84% of researchers are proud to work in the research community, but only 29% feel secure pursuing a research career.
Poor research culture is leading to unhealthy competition, bullying and harassment, and mental health issues
- 78% of researchers think that high levels of competition have created unkind and aggressive conditions.
- Nearly two-thirds of researchers (61%) have witnessed bullying or harassment, and 43% have experienced it themselves. Just one in three (37%) feel comfortable speaking up, with many doubting appropriate action will be taken.
- Just over half of researchers (53%) have sought, or have wanted to seek, professional help for depression or anxiety.
There’s a disconnect between researchers’ perception of their management skills and their abilities in practice
- 80% of researchers who manage people say they have the knowledge and skills to manage a diverse team, but only 48% have received training.
- Those being managed often miss out on critical aspects of good management – only half have received feedback on their performance (55%) or had a formal appraisal (49%) in the past year.
The system favours quantity over quality, and creativity is often stifled
- Creativity is one of the most commonly cited features of an ideal research culture, but 75% of researchers believe it's currently being stifled.
- 69% of researchers think that rigour of results is considered an important research outcome by their workplace. However, one in five junior researchers and students (23%) have felt pressured by their supervisor to produce a particular result.
- Only 14% of researchers agree that current metrics have had a positive impact on research culture, and 43% believe that their workplace puts more value on metrics than on research quality.
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![Chart showing managers’ views on management](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-managers-views-on-management.png?itok=U-eKla0S)
![Chart showing managers’ views on management](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-managers-views-on-management.png)
![Chart showing researchers’ experience of being managed (things their supervisor, manager or PI had done in the last 12 months)](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-researchers-experience-of-being-managed.png?itok=Ufc1gruz)
![Chart showing researchers’ experience of being managed (things their supervisor, manager or PI had done in the last 12 months)](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-researchers-experience-of-being-managed.png)
![Chart showing researchers’ views on research careers (percentage at different career stages agreeing)](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-researchers-views-on-research-careers.png?itok=nvyXv6AS)
![Chart showing researchers’ views on research careers (percentage at different career stages agreeing)](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-researchers-views-on-research-careers.png)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who have witnessed or experienced bullying or harassment](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-bullying-or-harassment.png?itok=QOuj2vU6)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who have witnessed or experienced bullying or harassment](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-bullying-or-harassment.png)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who would feel comfortable speaking out about bullying or discrimination without fear of negative personal consequences](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-speaking-out-against-bullying-or-discrimination.png?itok=Zeb0F1XS)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who would feel comfortable speaking out about bullying or discrimination without fear of negative personal consequences](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-speaking-out-against-bullying-or-discrimination.png)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who have sought or received professional help for depression or anxiety during their research career](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-professional-help-for-depression-or-anxiety.png?itok=xUYLXhq_)
![Chart showing percentage of researchers who have sought or received professional help for depression or anxiety during their research career](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-professional-help-for-depression-or-anxiety.png)
![Chart showing junior researchers’ and students’ views on supervisors’ attitude to results](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/research-culture-charts-supervisors-attitude-to-results.png?itok=nOajpQ-C)
![Chart showing junior researchers’ and students’ views on supervisors’ attitude to results](/sites/default/files/research-culture-charts-supervisors-attitude-to-results.png)
See the full dataset on Figshare.
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Researchers speak out in the largest ever survey of research culture. It's time for change, and everyone can help #ReimagineResearch.
Read the results from @wellcometrust and help decide what happens next: wellcome.org/research-culture